Category: Creative Works

How Do Images Presented In The Media Affect Black Mental Health and Self Perception?

Presenter(s): Ashley Terrell

Co Presenter(s): Jared Giles, blayne goring, miles Lawson, Kundin Semeredin, Ellis Mimms, Okeoma Okoro, Samson Johnson, Halston Harper, Miracle Trice

Faculty Mentor(s): Curtis Austin

Creative Work 5 M

This project examines the black community and how images in the media impact their daily lives, their self-perception and their mental health. The research was conducted on a personal level in which information was gathered by looking at scholarly articles, various books, and in-person interviews designed to understand the individuals. We believe that if there are negative images in the media that are showing black people in a negative light, then it’ll affect their well-being and mental health. To collect the data, we used a camera to record interviews around UC Berkeley. For those who didn’t feel comfortable being filmed, we provided the option of completing a written survey. The sources we used were the students that attended UC Berkeley and those that we encountered in various locations throughout the Bay area. The majority of our sources were sociological abstracts that contained information relevant to our study. Through the collection of quantitative and qualitative data, we reinforced the concept that media of all types (newspapers, advertisements, social media, etc.) collectively distorts the representation of the lives of the black community. This misrepresentation leads to real-world consequences that essentially perpetuate societal and systemic racism that is subsequently internalized by black people. We focused on how the media perpetuates the negative stereotypes of black people. The purpose of the research is to explore the link between how the media portrays black individuals and its effect on their communities. We wanted to explore how bias and controlling images shape African American self-perception and whether there are any negative impacts to these communities.

The Exploration of Translating Abstract Artistic Mediums: Non-Verbal Expression and Communication

Presenter(s): Malyssa Robles

Faculty Mentor(s): Tze-Yin Teo

Creative Work 2 RA

My research is an abstraction of translation and translative practices. In my studies I have explored what it means to transverse concepts, themes, and ideas from one artistic medium: dance, to another: written poetry. Because the former of these mediums is an abstract art form, it was therefore integral to the progression of this task to define dance as not only an art form, but also a method of abstract communication that is used as a non-verbal platform to relate from person to person. I found that there is a “mutation” that dance phrases must go through to pass from the language of the body, to the verbal language of English. The challenge became applying linguistic techniques to abstract material in order to transform dance into poetry. It is easiest to discern the message of dance by utilizing the intuitive sense of human connection during the interpretation of the performance and the impact that this has on the experience of the viewer. Our senses leave residual impact throughout the creative piece which leads the audience to the original concept meant to be conveyed which parallels the experience one has in the flow of meter. This being the basis for the conversion of languages. This research was important to me as a Comparative Literature major and Dance minor, in connecting both areas of study while highlighting their nature of communication. This research helps prove both art forms provide the same service and are valid ways to share experience with the world.

Allen Hall Media Presentation

Presenter(s): Elliot Hodgin

Co Presenter(s): Devon Houston, Junior Ramirez, Paula Mason, Lindsey Reed, Emily Scarvie, Delaney Young, Emily Harris

Faculty Mentor(s): Maya Lazaro & Michael Rea

Creative Work 5 EL 

Allen Hall Media (http://allenhallmedia.com) is a student-run media production agency in the School of Journalism and Communication. I am the group’s faculty advisor and am submitting this abstract as a placeholder. The group could present on a variety of topics, such as:
-The process of producing a video for a client from start to finish

-Running a student organization

-Specific projects the group has worked on and their impact

I am meeting with the group’s student leadership team today and will confirm their interest in presenting, and what specifically they would like to present. But for now I’m submitting an abstract so it’s in your database. Thank you!

Ecopoetry and Us

Presenter(s): Adeline Fecker

Co Presenter(s): Hailey O’Donnell

Faculty Mentor(s): Barbara Mossberg

Creative Work 5 BR

Ecopoetry is a long practiced tradition and ritual of understanding the natural world and our place in it. “Ecopoetics” comes from the two greek roots: oikos, meaning family, property and house; and poiesis, meaning to make. Together, we understand ecopoetry as home making; a process of creation and compassion and belonging. In the face of massive ecological and environmental crisis, ecopoetry continues to offer insight, criticism, and a call to action. We need ecopoetry, but more importantly- ecopoetry needs us. True, poetry by itself will not solve climate change; it is a vessel to act through. We read poetry. We write poetry. By putting words onto a page, we materialize our desire to preserve and protect our surroundings and form views that can inspire action. This installation transforms these declarations into a conversation desperately needed in our community and in ourselves. This installation encourages viewers to engage with their creative selves through ecopoetry new and old and explore how poetry can inform and expose the anxiety, confusion, and joy we experience with the world.